Bag closing machine



A April 1939- c. F. ALLISON 2,154,715

v BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 14, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 April 9- c. F. ALLISON BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 14, 1937 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 644 esFfl/hlsorl Qv my mg My M N W m @w 3 m2 April c. F; ALLISON 2,154,715

I 'BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 14, 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 ME U WMeSZZWwo/Z April 1939- c. F. ALLISON 2,154,715-

BAG CLOSING MACHIN Filed June 14; 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 C. F. ALLISON BAG CLOSING MACHINE April 18, 1939.

ll Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 14, 1937 M517 U flaf/esIQ/I 15027.

April 18, 1939. c F, ALLISON 12,154,715

BAG CLOS ING MACHINE Filed June 14, 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 E g 14 Eg l I I A ril 18, 1939 c. F. ALLISON BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 14, 1937 11 Shets-Sheet 8 E U G/idfies also 21.

April 18, 1939.

c. F. ALLISON BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 14, 1937 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 7 EM 517 QR 6%4/Jas7/7ii45o51 C. F. ALLISON BAG CLQS ING MACHINE April 18, 1939.

Filed June 14, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet l0 C. F. ALLISON BAG. CLOS 1N9 MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheec 11 Filed June 14, 1937 Patented Apr. 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE corporation of Illin Application June 14, m1, Serial No. mm

. v 24 Claims. This invention relates to a bag closing machine. Y

It has become quite common to provide bags with metal ties attached to the neckportion for 5 closing the bag. As a general rule, the neck portion of the bag would be folded and the ends of the tie folded or crimped about the neck portion. Thus, the folded neck portion wouldbe secured in upstanding position. In most cases, this has been manually done.

It has been'proposed to fold the neck portion of the bag and crimp the ends of the metal ties about the neck portion by machines such as is disclosed in the JoplinPatent No. 1,886,552, but such machines merely told one portion of the neck of the bag against an adjacent neck portion and crimp the ends of the metal tie around the neck portion. These machines are incapable of folding or positioning the folded portion flat upon the top of the body of the bag and then crimping the ends of the metal tie downwardly and under a portion of the bag for anchoring the folded portion in a flat position upon the top of the bag.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a novel machine having novel shaking, creasing, folding, and fold positioning mechanisms that will position the folded neck portion of a bag having a metal tie in a-substantially 30 flat position upon the top of thebag and folding the ends of the metal tie in a downward direction for engaging under portions of the bag for anchoring the folded down portion in position, whereby the closed bag will'have a substantially flat top as shown in Figure 27 in contradistinction to the upstanding folded necks of bags folded by such machines as disclosed in said Joplin patent.

It is also an object of this invention to provide 40 means for creasing or tucking in the ends oftravels in a vertical plane, and in which a novel folding mechanism is employed.

In accordance with this invention the filled paper bags with metal ties are first vibrated for 60 setting the contents'thereof, the ends of the unfliled or neck portions ofthe bags are then creased or tucked in. Thereafter the neck portions are foldedand then positioned upon the top of the bag, and the ends of-the metal ties are so folded or crimped downwardly for engaging under portions of the bag.

trate a preferred form of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar.

' features in the different views: y

Figure l is a side elevational view of a bag closing machine involving this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the conveyor with the upper parts of the machine removed.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a part of the operating mechanism.

' Figure 4 is machine.

Figure 5 isan enlarged Sectional view taken substantially upon the line Y-V of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken" substantially upon the line VI-VI of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the end creasing mechanism in end elevation. Figure 7 is an enlarged and fragmentary side elevational view ofthe bag creasing mechanism. Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing parts of the operating means for the creasing mechanism.

an end elevational view of the Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken upon the line rx-rx of Figure '1 looking in the direction of the arrows. f

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of an end creasing mechanism showing the parts in position for engaging a bag. Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 showing the parts in operative position.

Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken upon the line XII-XII of Figure 11 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing also the 1 looking in the direction of the arrows and illus-- trating the bag folding mechanism in elevation. Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view of the bag folding mechanism.

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view illustrating the bag folding mechanism.

, Figure 18- is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon the line XVI-XVI of Figure 14 looking inthe direction of. the arrows.

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16 illustrating the parts indifferent positions.

Figure 18 is a view similar to Figures 16 and 17 with the parts in different positions and showing the end or wall plate.

Figure 19 is an enlarged sectional view taken upon the line XIX-XIX of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows andillustrating the last folding .or fold positioning mechanism.

Figure 20 is an enlarged left end elevational view of Figure 19 showing the fold positioning mechanism. 1

Figure 21 is an enlarged top plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 19.

Figure 22 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing in diagrammatic form .the manner in which the ends of the metal tieare crimped under portions of the bag.

Figure 23 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon line XXEIL-XXIII of Figure 1.

Figure 24 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the intermittent drive.

Figure 25 is a perspective view of a bag after a creasing or tucking operation.

Figure 26 is a perspective view of a bagafter the folding operation.

Figure 2'7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the top of the bag after the fold has been bent ing or tucking in station where mechanism engages the ends of the bag for tucking in the same, a folding station where the necks of the bags are folded, and a fold positioning and anchoring station where the folded necks of the bags are folded down and positioned substantially upon the tops of the bags and theends of the metal ties are crimped down to anchor the folded portions. Beyond the last station there is an ejecting station where the filled and closed bags are laterally ejected from the conveyor. The operating mechanism at these different stations will be described in sequence.

In the drawings there is shown the preferred form of apparatus for carrying out this invention and the particular mechanism to be describedshould be understood as being merely illustrative of-this invention. The machine proper is preferably supported upon stanchion members- I con nected by a longitudinally extending platform 2. The upper ends of the stanchion members I are provided with spaced right angled seats 2 (Figure 4), and with a polygonal opening I therebelow for the passage of the conveyorflights.

Upon the seats 2 are supported parallel frame plates 5 which are suitably secured by various means that will later be referred to. The endsof these plates are bluntly pointed and they carry shafts [and I which in turn respectively'support the tail and head sprockets I and 2 that are positioned between such plates. A suitable chain conveyor l is trained over these sprockets. This chain conveyor includes the right angled flights or bag seats ll attached thereto. These flights 9,154,715 low the tops of the plates. Upon the tops of the the flights H can readily enter the guideway due to the fact that the tail sprocket 8 extends .partly beyond the end points of the plates whereby the flights will assume a substantially horizontal position as they approach the guides.

As soon as a flight enters the guideway, or even before, if desired, a filled bag '15 with a metal tie Ilia may be positioned thereon. This will probably be done during a pause in the travel of the conveyor.

When a flight reaches the bag settling station, the conveyor will stop and mechanism will be set in operation for shaking or vibrating the filled bag upon such flight for settling the contents thereof. This shaking mechanism is best shown in Figures 1 and 5 and primarily consists of the levers ii and I1 pivoted at their lower endsupon brackets I2 attached to the sides of the plates 5. The upper ends of these levers are in the form of cylindrical bearings I9 in which rods are adjustable bymeans of set screws 2l. These rods carry pads or plates 22 upon their idjacent ends which are adapted for alternately engaging the sides of the fllled bags.

The levers l6 and I! are connected for simultaneous swinging movements by means of a rod 2a which-extends through the plates 5. The rod 22 carries a bifurcated block 24 at each end; the

levers I2 and I! being pivoted in the bifurcations. The blocks 24 are preferably threaded upon the rod and for this purpose they are provided with polygonal inner ends 25. I

The means for swingingthe levers l6 and I1 consists of a driveneccentric 26 upon a shaft 21 that extends through an aperture 22 in the lever IS. The shaft 26 is journalled in a bracket. 29

- alternately engage the bag and shake or vibrate the same for settling the contents thereof.

. After the contents of a-bag have been settled,

the conveyor will advance. to convey the bag through a guide way formed by the adjustable guide plates Ia supported by brackets 5b attached to the plates 5 to the creasing or tucking station where the machine will again stop. The operator will now set the machine in motion for ope ating the shaking mechanism for the next succeeding bag and for operating the end tuekers. The tucking mechanism is best shown in Figures 6 to 11 and will now be set forth.

Upon the rear side of the machine there is a platform 20 for supporting certain operating parts 'adJacent the conveyor. A pair of upstanding spaced plates 2i having an integral base 22 resting upon the platform supports the creasing or tucking in mechanism. I A pair of hollow sleeve shafts 22 and 24 are journalled in these plates.

A pair of arms 25 are integral with the shaft 22, while a pair of arms 26 are .integral with the shaft 24. A cross head 21 ispivoted to the free ends of the arms 2l and 22.

The crosshead consists of avertical portion blades 4| are. pivoted in each bifurcation. It will be noted that each blade ll is-positioned between the tucking blades and that the three blades in each bifurcationare secured by a pivot pin. 4|. It will further be noted that the tucking blades are pivoted intermediate their ends so that the upper portion thereof extends above the member 31b while the lower portion thereof extends below the member 31b. Above the pivot point 4|, the tucking blades 3! and 40 are directed at diverging angles as shown in Figures 7 and 10,

' and these upper diverging ends are pivotally connected by links 42 to a pivot pin 43 carried by a link 44. Each link 44 is formed with a slot 4| for receiving a pin 48 projecting from a plate 3i (Figure ,8) whereby the vertical movement of thelink44isliniited.

Arms 41 are pivoted by means of suitable pivot studs 48 to the forward ends of the plates 3| which it will be noted in Figure 6 are angular with forwardly projecting portions lla, one arm being pivoted adjacent each plate fi A plate is secured to the lower ends of the arms "which it will be noted are at a slight as shown in Figure 8.

Spaced inwardly upon the plates ii are pivoted a second pair of arms by means of pivot studs ii. The arms it are similar to the arms 41 and support a plate-82 at their lower ends;

The pivot stud SI of one arm 50 projects through its plate 8i and carries a gear segment 53 as shown in Figures 6' and 8. Likewise the stud ll of the arm 41 that is adjacent the same plate ll projects through said plate 3i and carries a gear segment I! in meshing relation with the other gear segment '3 whereby movement of I the said arm iii will cause a similar movement of the arms 41.

The end tucking members and one of the arms 8. are operated from suitable cams in a manner which will'now be set forth. A shaft 04 which is journalled in suitable bearing brackets 55 on the platform It has a cam It keyed thereon. This cam has a suitable groove 51 in which a roll or stud 88 moves. This stud I8 is secured to an arm I! which is in egral with or secured to the sleeve shaft 34. Rotation of' said cam will rock' the sleeve .shaft 34 and raise and lower the arms a and SI which define a parallel motion and to which the creasing members ii and 40 are connected.

Abell crank'lever Cl is secured to a rod or shaft the cam 56 is beginning to lower the tuckingmechanism into a bag. By the time this mechanism hasbeen lowered, the cam 83 will begin moving the arms 41 and "together. While the 7. end tucking mechanism isrising, the cam 83 will be moving the arms 41 and It closer together until the high arc a of cam 43 is reached when the plates 4! and II will havepartially collapsed outward angle the neck of the bag for maintaining the creases and folds. Asthe high are of cam '63 is of considerable extent, the'bag will be maintained in its partially collapsed position for a fair period.

As the end tucking mechanism is lowered, the blades 40 will enter the bag while the blades 39 --will move down adjacent the outer surface of the bag. The two sets of tucking members are so spaced as 'to engage the end portions of a bag. As the tucking mechanism is being lowered, the parts are substantially in the positions shownin Figures 7 and 10 so that' the tucking blades will straddle the end walls of the bag. However, when the tucking mechanism has been lowered sumciently to bring the upper ends of the slots 45 in the links 44 against the pins 46 as shown in Figure ll, the'tucking blades will begin to come-together.

cross head 31 from this point will cause pivot For further downward movement of the points 4| to move further downwardwhll'e pivot points 43 remain stationary with the result that the blades will partake of a toggle action and move to the positions shown in Figure 11 for tucking in and creasing the end'walls of the bag as shown in Figure 25.

With reference a Figure 1. it win be'noted and 52 in their operative positions until the creased neck of the bag has been advanced to the guide between the plates 64'. After the tuckng operation is completed, the conveyor will be operated for advancing the bag to the folding station and then stop. The operator will now start the machine again for operating the parts including the folding mechanism which is best shown inFigures 13 to l8f to which reference will now be made.

Upon the platform 30 there is a stanchion 86 consisting of a base 66 and apair of spaced uprights 81. An arm 68 provided with an elongated hub 60 is journaled between the upper ends of the uprights 61. Acounterweight arm III with an adjustable counterweight '|l .thereon extends from the hub 69 'in a direction opposite to the arm 68 which constitutes a parallel motion arm. 1

Below the arm 04, there is a second arm 12 which has a hub 84a .journalled between the uprights 1. An arm-ll integral, with the hub 68a extends alongside of a cam I! where it is provided with-a roller 14 operating in a groove in such cam. 1

- The forward ends; of the arms "and I! carry The lever is connected by means of a link 04 to an apex of a triangularplate I] which acts as a bell crank lever. Another apex of said lever 85 is journalled upona shaft 80 which'supports the hub "a which is cut away for this purpose as shown in dotted lines'in Figure lli. The third apex of this lever arries a roller I! which operates in a cam groove II in thecam II.

The bifurcation II onthe hanger ll-has lateral wings II which extend rearwardiy and which are provided with upwardly extendingueshaped grooves or slotsll adapted for receiving the tucked neck of a bag with a metal tie lia thereon. A rod ll extends between the wings 88. A

- form of an L-shaped bent plate has a hub portion coiledaround the rod. This hub portion is cut away at an intermediate point for a coil spring 98 which surrounds the rod with one end 94 abutting the bottom of. the hanger I1 and the other end "engaging under the plate 92.- The tendency of the spring 93 is to hold the plate in the position shown in Figure 17. A bracket .8 is secured or welded to the plate 82 adjacent the link M. This bracket is angular so that its operative portion is spaced from the plate 92. This bracket se is in the path of movement of an. abutment 91 secured upon the link M with the result that when the link ll moves forwardly the so folding plate 92 will be actuated against the tension of the spring 83 to fold the end of the bag over. i

Spaced from the bracket 96 there is a second bracket 98a (Figure A bar 98 is attached 85 to the' underside of these brackets. and supports a curved fold holder 88 in a position adjacent the end of the fold for engaging the metal tie as will later appear.

A stop plate llil provided with an attaching a. flange is secured to the wings 89 within the slot and serves as a stop for the top of the bag as shown in Figure 13 when the hangeris lowered. A plate III is attached to the bottom of the bifurcation and this plate curves upwardly and a. extends into the 'slot .0 a suitable distance in slightly spaced relation to the cylinder 18. The

upper edge of this plate forms a part of the folding mechanism in that it serves to support the turned over neck portion of the bag during the o rotation of the cylinder Ill. The cylinder ll is I provided with a plurality of notches III each of which has a straight wall I" and a curved wall ill. in the present instance four equally Spaced notches are shown and the straight wall of each notch is ahead of the curved wall during rotation of the cylinder which is in-a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 16, 17, and 18.

During the operation of folding the neck of r the bag, the hanger l'l descends through the operation of the camli until the plate ill comes into contact with the top of the neck of the bag as shown in Figure 13. At about this time, the lever 85 is caused to swing to the right by the cam II for causing the abutment 91 on rod ll to-strike bracket II for swinging folding plate I: from the position shown in Figures 13 and 1'7 to the position shown in Figure 16. This movement substantially L-shaped folding member 92 in the of the folding plate 02 will bend the upper neck.-

portion of the bag into a notch ill! in the cylinder aoj which will be in proper position. i

when the rod 84 moves to the left, and swings the pawl lever 83, the pawl 82 rides freely over? theratchet. However, when the link I4 is retracted by. the lever 05 and cam ii, the pawl 82 will engage the ratchet wheel II and rotate the cylinder It in a clockwise direction about 90' from the position shown in Figure 16 to a point below the position shown in Figure 1'l.' During this rotation, the bent top of the bag in the notch II! will be folded down over the plate lOl-and occupy a positionbetween the cylinder and plate as shown in Figure 1'! which illustrates the fold as it hasemerged from the notch during the rotation of the cylinder which will, however, continue its rotation until it has completed 90' and brought the next notch in the wheel into proper position, which'is such a position as shown in Figure 13. The folding member 82 will hold the edge of the bag in the notch until the cylinder has rotated sumciently to start the fold.

The rotation of cam 15 will now lower the hanger 11 again until the right handnotch is again opposite the folded portion of the bag. when the hanger has been thuswise lowered. the rod 84 will beactuated again to the left for striking the bracket 9 and moving the folding member 92 against the folded portion of the bag and inserting such folded portion in the adjacent notch.

During the first folding operation, the metal tie is merely folded down against the adjacent neck portion of the bag. The second folding operation is designed to make a second fold by folding the already folded portion against the adjacent neck portion of thebag. In making this second fold, the metal tie is apt to move out and down and not be wrapped within the fold. To prevent this, the lug so on the strip 88 has been provided. When the second fold is being made, the lug at will be projected under a projecting end of the metal tie and frictionaliy hold the same while the cylinder 19 rotates sumciently to start the'fold. Theparts are so arranged that the cylinder will have started to rotate before the bracket I is sufnciently released to allow spring 98 to retract the parts. of course, as soon as the second fold is adequately started, there is no danger of the metal tie moving out and down, and it will serve as a fulcrum for making the second fold.

During the operation of making the second fold, the cylinder will be rotated 90 as for the first fold and the completed folded portion will be held between the cylinder and plate i0! just as in the case of the single or first fold. Whenthe abutment 91 has been withdrawn sufllciently, the spring at will withdraw the folding member 82; The hanger, however, will remain in its lowered position for a period and-hold the fold on the bag until the conveyor advances the bag. For it will be noted that the groove in which roller 14 travels has a comparatively long are 150 that must pass the roller I4 before the hanger 11 is elevated. After a bag is completely folded as shown in Figure 26, the conveyor will advance the bag from the folding mechanism to the fold positioning and fold anchoring mechanism. As the bag leaves the folding mechanism, the folded neck will pass into a U-shaped guide I (Figure 23) that is supported on a bracket ill secured to the platform 30. The conveyor will .stop at the fold positioning station. The operator will then start the machine again ,and the fold will be properly positioned upon the top of the bag, and the ends of the metaitie will be folded down and under a portion of the bag.

As the folded neck of the bag leaves the U- shaped guide I, it will pass into a guideway on a hanger Il'l (Figures 19 to 22). The hanger M1 is pivotally supported at its upper end upon a stanchion comprising a base I and two spaced angular uprights III! which it will be noted project overthebag guideway. The hanger I01 comprises a pendant plate lll'la which is bifurcated at its upper end. The bifurcated portions are in I the form of bearings llllb through which ashaft 1 it extends.

The pendant plate lilla terminates at its lower end in a substantially-horizontally extending block |l'lc which may be integral therewith or over the outer side thereof in spaced relation therewith to form the aforementioned guideway for receiving the fold on the bag. Upon each end of block M10 is pivoted an arcuate tucker II2 which is preferably in the form of a stiff metal band curved into a partial circle. One end of each tucker is curled to form a bearing for receiving its pivot pin I I3. Each tucker is provided at an intermediate point with a cut out portion II4 best shown in Figure 19. In each cut out portion there is pivoted the lower end of a link H5. The upper ends of the links II5 are pivoted to a cross head I I3 having a substantiallyvertically extending slotted bar II1. Screws II3 extend through the slot of the bar H1 and into the hanger for securing the cross head for reciprocating motion. A coil spring II3 connects the cross head with the hanger for moving or reciprocating the same in an upward direction. I

A pendant frame comprising a bottom cross member I and side members I2I pivoted to the ends of shaft H0 is provided for a purpose that will later appear. Upon the bottom of the cross member I20 thereis secured a slightly curved plate I22 which extends to one side of the frame in the direction of the hanger I01. The hanger I01 has a pitman I23 pivotally connected to an intermediate point thereof. This pitman has'a slotted rear end straddling the shaft 54 for supporting the same. Adjacent the inner end of the slot in the pitman I23, there is pivoted a roller I24 that travels in a cam groove I25 formed in'thenear side face of a cam I28 secured upon the shaft 54. v

A pitman I21 is pivoted at one end to one of the sides I 2I of the pendant frame. The other end of the pitman I21 is slotted and straddles the shaft 54 just as the pitman I23. The pitman I21 carries a roller I23 that is located in a cam groove I29 in the far side of cam I23.

Above the pitman, there is a lever I30 provided with an intermediate hub I 3I journalled upon a shaft I32 secured in the uprights I03. This lever consists of a long arm I30a that .ex-

tends over the upper end of the dross head bar H1 and a short arm I30b that carries a roller I33 resting upon the periphery of the cam I23 which is provided with a peripheral hump I34 for engaging the roller I33 for actuating the lever upon shaft I32 as a fulcrum. The arms I30a and H012 extend from. the hub I3I as clearly shown in Figure 21.

Beneaththe lever I30. there is a rod I35 that extends between the uprights I03, A spring I33 is supported upon the rod, for acting upon the forward end of the lever I30 for elevating the same and maintaining the roller I33 against the cam. It will be noted that this spring is U-shaped with its arms coiled about the rod I35 and its free ends extending under the hub I3I. The

. bridging portion I35a between the arms bears upwardly against the arm I30a of the lever I30." The operation of the fold positioning mechanism and the'metal tie tucking mechanism just described is as follows: When a bag is moved'into the guideway of the hanger I01 as shown in Fig ure 19, the parts are in the positions as shown. As the cam I26 rotates fromits position, the pitman, I21 will swing the pendant frame toward the bag and cause the forward edge of the plate I22 to engage the neck of the bag just beneath the fold and form a fulcrum. At this point,,the cam I26 will actuate the pitman I23 for swinging minklever i Provided with a roller. 149" 5 the hanger I01 to the left thereby turning the 1 fold on the neck of the bag over the edge of the plate I22 as a fulcrum. As the hanger I01 is thuswise swung to the left, the fold will gradually slip out of the guideway until it assumes a substantially horizontal position upon the bag. During such movement of the hangerl01, the block I01 c on the bottom of the hanger that moves with the hanger will gradually move over the fold as'such fold is bent down, so that when the fold is completely bent down, It will be. held in such position by the block I01c superimposed thereover. At this time, the arc I25a of dam I26 will be in engagement with the roller I24 on the pitman I23 so the hanger I01 will remain'in its superimposed position as long as the arc I25a is in contact with the roller I24;

While the arc I25a is, in engagement with its roller I24, the hump I34 will engage the roller I 33 on lever I30 and elevate arm I30?) and lower arm I30a of lever I30. As the arm I30a is lowered, it will strike the upper end of the cross head rod 1 and force the cross head H5 downwardly as shown in Figure 22. This downward movement of the cross head II3 will cause the arcuate tuckers II2 to rotate upon their pivots II3 with the result that the free ends of the tuckers will strike the ends of the metal tie and bend the same downwardly and inwardly under the portions of the bag beneath the fold and thuswise anchor the fold to the bag against rising or unfolding as shown in Figures 27 and 28.

After the tucking operation has been 'completed, the arc I29b in cam groove I29 of cam I26 -will engage the roller I28 and swing the pendant After the fold positioning and anchoring opera- 1 tion' is complete, the conveyor will advance the closed bag to an ejecting station at the ends of the guides 5aas shown in Figures 1 to 3, when the machine will stop again and must again be set in operation. This ejecting mechanism consists of a plate I40 secured to an arm I which is pivoted to one end of a lever I42. The other end of the lever I42 is pivoted upon a stud I43 carried by a bracket I44 secured to one of the plates 5. The bracket I has a-lug I44tt, and a wire rod I45 connects the bracket with the arm MI. The lever I42 has an arm I42a adjacent the stud I43. A' link I45 connects the arm 241 with one arm of a bell crank lever I41 pivoted to a frame memher 5 as indicated at I48. The other arm of the in the path ofa -V-shaped projection I on a cam IIII secured upon a shaft I52 journalled in the frame member 5.

The actuation of the lever I41 by thecam I5I will exert a pull upon the link I48 that in turn will swingthe lever I42 toward the bag and, move the conveyor to a receiving platform I53.

The platform 30 which supports the various devices for folding and closing the bags is preferably supported so that it can be readily raised or lowered to accommodate bags of different height. To this end, a pair of rack bars I54 (Figures 2, 4, and 23) with flanges I55 at their upper end form adjustable supports for the platform 30. These rack bars I54 extend into vertical sleeves or guides I58 supported upon a platform I51 supported upon the end frame members of the machine (Figure 2). A shaft I58 is journalled in suitable supports I59 upon'the platform I51."

of the machine which will now be described is.

best shown in Figures 1, 2; 3, and 23. A motor I2I is mounted upon the platform 2 and is connected by means of sprocket gearing I22 to a shaft I 22 iournalled in suitable brackets I22 upon the platform 2. A sprocket gear I22 is secured upon the shaft I22 and a sprocket chain I22 is trained over the sprocket I22 and over a sprocket gear I21 secured upon a'shaft I22 (Figure 24) supported by the frame member 2. Upon the shaft I22 there is a small gear I22 that meshes with a gear I 12 loosely mounted upon shaft I22.

A ratchet wheel I120 which is also loose upon the shaft I22 is integral with or secured to the gear. A disk "I is secured or keyed upon the shaft I22 adjacent the ratchet and this disk carries a spring pressed pawl I12 adapted to periodically form a driving connection between the gear I12 and shaft I22. e I

The pawl I12 is manually controlled and is adapted to remain in engagement with the ratchet I12a for one revolution of the shaft I22 which is designed to operate the conveyor I2 for moving a bag from one station tothe next station and then operating the other parts as will presently appear. Upon the far frame member 2 there is secured a bracket I12 that is secured to a member 5 by bolts I12 (Figure 24) With reference to Figure 2, it will be noted that the body of the bracketis spaced from the member 2. A pawl controller I12 is pivoted uponthebody of the bracket I12 by means of a pivot stud I12.- 'Ihis pawl controller comprises an arm I120 that is adapted to be swung or rotated into the path of the tail of. the pawl I12 for throwing the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel. A rod I11 is connected to an arm "2b of the pawl controller. The forward end of this rod may be suitably supported for sliding movement by means of an apertured bracket I12 (Figure 2) which may be secured to a part of the machine such as a guide I 22. A spring I12 between the bracket and a collar I22 on the rod may be used for projecting the pawl controller into the path of the pawl when the rod I11 is released by the operator.

Thus the operation of the machine is under the control of the operator. To operate the machine. the operator will merely pull the rod I11 for releasing the pawl I12 whereby the shaft I22 will rotate one revolution. As soon as the rod I11 is released, the, spring I12 will/automatically return the same for projecting the arm I120 in the path of the tail of the pawl I12 to throw the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel I126 after one revolution.

It will be noted that the cam disk "I is secured upon the shaft I22 with the result when througha slot I22 in'a' yoke I 22 which supports the oppositely extending rack bars I22 and I22.

The rack bar I22 engages a pinion I22 (Figure- 1) loose upon shaft I 21. A disk I22 which is attached to the pinion I 22 is also loose upon the shaft I21. The disk I22 haaa pawl I22 (Figure 3) pivoted thereto that engages a one-tooth ratchet wheel I22 secured uponv the shaft I21.

when the yoke m is moving to the right, the pawl I22 will engage the ratchet I22 and rotate shaft I21. However, when the yoke is moving in the opposite direction, the pawl I22 will freelyride over the ratchet.

The shaft I21 is connected by sprocket gearing I 2| to shaft I22 which extends through the membets 2 and carries a bevel gear I22 in meshing relation with bevel gear 22a for operating the shaking mechanism.

The rack bar I22 on the yoke meshes with a pinion I22 integral with a disk I22 both of which are loosely mounted upon a shaft I22. The disk I22 carries a pawl I 21 that engages a one-tooth ratchet wheel I22 rigidly secured upon shaft I22. when the yoke is moving to the left, the pawl I21 will engage the ratchet I22 and rotate shaft I22. However, when the yoke is moving to the right, the pawl I21 will ride idly over its ratchet wheel.

The shaft I22 is-geared by sprocket gearing I22 to shaft 1 that supports the head sprocket 2 and the conveyor will be advanced one step when yoke I22 makes its return movement after the shaking and other operations have been com;-

pleted and the parts are being restored.

The upper shaft 22 is driven by a vertical shaft 222 (Figure 23) which is suitably iournalled in the machine and rigidly carries ,a bevel-gear 22I at its upper end that meshes with a bevel gear 222 fast upon shaft 22.. Thellower end of shaft 222 has a spiral gear 222 fast thereon that meshes with a spiral gear 222 upon the shaft I22.

, With the parts as shown in Figures 1 and 24. the pawl I12 must be released to set shaft I22 in operation. As shaft I 22 starts to operate, yoke I22 will move to the right for actuating the shakers. folders, and "fold-positioning members while the yoke I22 is. moving to the right. when the yoke I22 turns in its course and moves to the left. the, tuckers, folders, and fold-positioning members will be moving to inoperative positions and the conveyor will be operated one step to advance the bags from one station to the next. During each rotation of cam IN the ejecting mechanism will be operated for electing a bag. Thus, one cycle of shaft I22 will be the extent of operation at a time since the pawl I12 will automatically disconnect the shaft I22 after each cycle of operation.

This feature of starting the machine, after each cycle of operation allows the attendant ample time toplace a bag upon the conveyor and see that it is in proper shape and properly positioned.

It will be appreciated that the machine is very compact and occupies but little space and is always under control of the attendant so that the work it is designed togdo can be properly performed. At'the' same time it will be apparent that the feature of folding the folded portion of the bag substantially flat upon the top of the bag .and anchoring the same inposition produces a more satisfactory package than'has been heretofore possible. Q

{I am aware that many changes m'ay'be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do. not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. Ina bag closing machine, means for settling the contents of a bag, means for tucking in the ends of the neck of the bag, means for fold ing the neck portionof the bag, means for posi-- -tioning the folded portion in flatwise position upon the top of the bag, said folded portion carrying a metal tie and simultaneously operable curved elements for folding down and tucking in the ends of the metal tie beneath the fold for the purpose set forth.

2. In a bag-closing machine, mechanism for tucking in the neck'portionof a bag, mechanism for folding the neck portion of the bag, means for folding down and positioning the folded neck ed neck portion upon the top of the bag proper,

means for holding the folded portion in position, and means including a pair ofarcuate members for folding down and tucking the ends of the metal tie under the folded portion.

4. In a bag closing machine apair of cooperating members, one of said members having a guide way for receiving the folded neck portion of a bag carrying a metal tie, the other member having a plate for engaging beneath the folded portion of the bag, and means for relatively moving said members for withdrawing the folded neck portion of the bag from said guide way and positioning the same upon the topof the bag, and a pair of tucking members for crimping the ends of the metal tie beneath said folded portions.

5. In a bag closing machine, the combination with means for folding the neck portions of a bag having a metaltie, of mechanism for positioning the folded neck portion upona'bag and retaining the same in position, a pair of arcuate members for engaging the ends of the metal tie and crimping the sameunder said folded portion and means for operating said members.

6. In a bag closing machine,a series of devices for acting upon a bag, a conveyor for conveying the bags to said devices, and driving mechanism for said conveyor and devices including a longitudinally movable element, movable in one direction to actuate said devices and movable in the other direction to actuate said conveyor.

. 7. In a bag closingmachine, a series of. devices for acting on said bag, a conveyor for moving said bag to said devices, operating mechanism for said devices and conveyor including an elementmovable in one direction for actuating said devices and movable in a different direction for, actuating said conveyor.

8. In a bag closing machine, a conveyor for moving filled bags, and mechanism for alternate ly engaging the sides of-the bag for shaking the same for settling the contents thereof.

9. In a bag closing machine, a conveyor for moving filled bags, a pair of levers upon opposite sides of the-conveyor and having plates for engaging the sides of a bag and means for alternately engaging said plates with said bag.

10. In a bag closing machine, mechanism for folding the neck of a .bag comprising a rotatable member having grooves, a member for deflecting the upper end of a bag into a groove, means for rotating said member for folding the upper end of the bag, means for lowering said meinbers, and means for again actuating said members for folding the folded portion of the bag.

11'. In a bag closing machine, mechanism for folding the neck of a bag comprising a rotatable member having grooves and a swingable mem-- her for deflecting a portion of a 'bag into a groove and means for operating said members I in sequence.

- 12. In a bag closing machine, means for folding the neck portion of a filled bag, mechanism for positioning the folded neck portion in flatwise position upon the top of the filled portion of the bag, said folded neck portion having a metal tie projecting beyond the ends thereof, I

a pair of arcuate members for engaging the ends of the metal tie andbending the same downwardly and under the folded neck portion and into engagement with portions of the bag for anchoring the folded portion in flatwise positionupon said filled portion, and means for actuating said members.

13. In a bag closing machine, meansfor folding the neck portion of a filled bag, a pair of cooperating members for bending the folded neck portion in fiatw'ise position upon the top of the filled portion of the bag, said folded portion of the bag having a metal tie projecting beyond both endsthereof, a pair of members having arcuate portionsfor engaging the projecting ends of said tie, and means for actuating a pair of cooperating members, one of said menibers having a guideway for receiving the folded neck. portion of the bag in upright position, the other member having a laterally extending fulcrum device for engaging the folded neck portion of the bag beneath said guideway, means for relatively moving said members for causing said folded portion to move from said guideway and assume a flatwise position upon the'top of the filled bag, one of said members retaining said folded portion in flatwise position upon the top of the filled portion of the bag, said folded portion of the bag having a metal tie projecting beyond the ends thereof, and means for bending the ends of said tie beneath the ends of the folded portion.

15. In a machine for closing a filledbag, means for folding the empty neck portion of' the filled bag to form an upright extending folded portion, a pair of cooperating members for engaging opposite sides of said folded portion, means for relatively moving said members for folding said folded portion fiatwise upon the top of the filled bag and causing one member to move over,

and upon said fiatwise folded portion for retaining' the same in position, said folded portion having a metal tie projecting beyond the ends thereof, a. pair of members for engaging and bending the projecting-ends ofsaid tie under said folded portion in such flatwise position, said folded portion having tie means projecting beyond the ends thereof, a pair of members and means for. actuating said members for bending down and tucking the ends of said tie means beneath said fold while the same is retained in flatwise position.

17. In a machine for closing filled bags, means for folding the empty neck portion of the bag to provide an upstandingfolded portion, said folded portion having the means projecting beyond the ends thereof, means for bending said folded portion infiatwise position upon the top of the filled bag including a member movable over and upon said fiatwise folded portion for retaining the same in position, folders pivoted to said member for engaging the ends of said tie means for folding the same down and under the ends of said folded portion, and means for actuating said folders.

18. In a bag closing machine, means for tucking in and folding the-neck portion of a fllled bag,

, means for positioning the folded portion in flatwiseposition upon the top of the filled portion of the bag including a member movable over the folded portion, said folded portion having tie means projecting beyond the ends of the folded portion, a folder pivoted to each end of said memher, and means pivoted to said folders for operating the same and causing the same to engage the ends of said tie for folding the same downwardly and under the folded portion of the bag.

l9.' In a bag closing machine, a series of debags to fold and secure the same, a conveyor for intermittently feeding the bags to said devices and operating.mechanism for said devices and conveyor including an element movable in one direction for actuating said devices and movable in a different direction for actuating said conveyor, and means for controlling the operation of said mechanism.

20. In a machine for closing filled bags, a series of devices for acting upon the empty neck portions of the bags, .a conveyor for successively feeding bags to'said devices, operating means for alternately actuating said devices and conveyor including a rack bar movable in one direction for alums vices for acting upon the neck portions of filled.

actuating. said devices and movable in the opposite direction for actuating said conveyor, and

means for reciprocating said rack bar.

21. In a machine for closing filled bags, a. conveyor for conveying filled bags, means for intermittently operating said conveyor and causing the same to pause with a filled bag in a predetermined position, and means for settling the contents of said bag in said predetermined position comprising vibrating elements,- and means for actuating said elements for causing the same to alternately engage opposite portions of the bag for shaking the sameand settling the contents thereof.

22. In a machine for closing filled bags, mechanism for tuckinginwardly the ends of the neck of the bags comprising a movable device, a pair of tucking members pivoted intermediate their ends to said device, means for raising and lowering said device, said members having angular portions extending vertically above said device. a link connected to each angular portion, slotted rods connected to said links, and stationary pins extending through the slots in said rods.

23. In a machine for closing filled bags, mechanism for tucking inwardly the ends of the necks of the bags comprising a cross head, means for raising and lowering said cross head. a pair of tucking members pivoted intermediate their ends to said cross head, one at each end of said cross head, said members having angular portions extending vertically above said cross head, a short link pivoted to each angular portion, a slotted vertical rod pivoted to each link, and stationary pins extending through the slots of said rods.

24. In a bag closing machine, a conveyor for carrying filled bags, mechanism for folding the neck portion of the bag and securing the folded portion to'the bag, means for alternately operating said conveyor, and mechanism including a member movable in one direction for operating said conveyor and movable in a different direction for operating said mechanism. and an element automatically disconnectable after the operation of said conveyor.

CHARLES F. ALLISON. 

